JAPAN’S BUSINESS CHAMBER has asked the government to develop Batangas port into an industrial complex to help its members — many of whom operate just south of Metro Manila — cut down transport costs, a senior representative of the group said on Sunday.
The proposal, aired by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines, Inc. (JCCIPI), was one of the recommendations discussed at the third meeting of the Sub-Committee on the Improvement of Business Environment convened under the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).
“We requested [government] agencies to utilize Batangas port, because 50% of members of the Japanese chamber are manufacturers and 80% of the manufacturers are located in Calabarzon (Cavite-Laguna-Batangas-Rizal-Quezon region),” Nobuo Fujii, JCCIPI executive director, said in a telephone interview on the said meeting.
“We are proposing to have a big industrial complex at Batangas port, so manufacturers can have their goods land there instead of the Manila port,” Mr. Fujii added.
“There are many problems with the Manila port. First, it is too far away from manufacturers outside Metro Manila. Second, there is the truck ban. Third, the congested traffic makes travel too long. Fourth, manufacturers are concerned about harmful emissions from the trucks delivering from Manila — this is bad for the environment and human health,” he added.
Mr. Fujii said the chamber proposed that the Philippine Port Authority “give discount rates for shipping companies to go to Batangas instead of Manila” in order to persuade more of these companies to dock there.
“We want this as soon as possible…maybe next year,” he added.
Trade Undersecretary Adrian S. Cristobal, Jr. and Japanese Ambassador Toshinao Urabe presided over the meeting.
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By: Eliza J. Diaz
Source: Business World, Sept. 19, 2011
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